[Maria]

Before I had my 2nd spine surgery or my second discectomy I used to work out at a gym regularly. Very modified however but regularly. And I definately was toned and in pretty good shape even with a limited and modified program that I structured to fit my own needs.

I had been a long time gym "rat" ever since I hurt my back so I just really tried to do things that didn't aggravate or exaccerbate my spine issues.

Also I had been through PT numerous times for both low back and knee probs and felt that when PT was over I still needed to exercise to keep my strength and tone.

I haven't been to a gym in a long time that being said. Now I just walk regularly and ride a bike sometimes. I would like to do some upper body toning but it does seem to ignite my neck probs when I use my arms in certain ways. Also the same thing with my low back. I pretty much know what exercises I cannot do that seem to really light my low back up as well.

I don't know what your spinal problem is and would not presume to tell you what you should or shouldn't do however I too think if it hurts it's probably not good for your injury(ies).

There is some amount of discomfort sometimes with getting back into shape but I stop at causing myself more pain or rather I should say also that causing myself more pain sometimes stops me from doing whatever it is/was again~ lesson learned!

There have been some good books listed on this forum with regard to knowing our body and some exercises that might be helpful although not everything that helps one person would be Ok or right for another person and his or her particular injury.

What I try to remember is to stay in neutral positioning (no extraneous movements that would create too much flexion or extension) and to work with my core. I swam for many years as well which helped my lumbar spine quite a bit and now bugs my cervical spine (breast stroke).

You say whatever or whenever you exercise you hurt.. maybe you're not ready or maybe you need to have PT evaluate what you're trying to do and see if there can be modifcations made that might help you?